The green line is a reading speed (left scale), the yellow one is a disc rotation speed, thousand rpm (right scale).

The graphs of reading for the TDK and the Creative are practically identical (what is no wonder considering their internal similarity). Iomega reads discs a bit different; on a graph for low quality CD you can notice a clear fall approximately in the middle of the disc. Interestingly that similar things occur on many cyanine discs of so called "noname-manufacturers" which were written on this recorder. Nevertheless, the drive achieves the maximum speed to the end of the discs almost always, like here (the graph couldn't reach the announced 32X, only 30X). Good discs are read by the Iomega ZipCD 1024INT-A without any problems reaching the maximum speed long before the last sectors.

Besides, we paid some attention to already familiar technology "Burn-Proof". We used the tried method: simultaneous load and active switch between the applications Photoshop 5.5 + CorelDraw 9.0. Similar to the previous case, indication of buffer load was shown zero about 8-9 seconds. After complete loading of the applications the buffer started filling and the recorder completed its work. As you can see in this case the graph looks much better, quite similar to that of the disc recorded by a normal way on the both drives.

CD Speed 99 test results of the recorded CDs (normal quality)

CD Speed 99 testing results of the recorded CDs (low quality)

CD Quality Check test results of the 4x recorded CD-RW (UDF)

CD Quality Check test results of the 10x recorded CD-RW (UDF)

CD Quality Check test results of the 4x recorded CD-RW (ISO)

Unfortunately, the recorder Iomega is not fully supported by the program CDSpeed, that's why we failed to compare it with its rivals - the TDK and the Creative. In this test the TDK demonstrated much smarter results than the Creative RW121032E. But such terrible difference is likely explained by the different programs used for formatting and recording in packet mode.

Quality of the recorded CDs of normal quality (CD Quality Check)

Quality of the recorded CDs of low quality (CD Quality Check)

*n/a - measurement failed.

Again we have no opportunity to compare the drive Iomega ZipCD with the other. The Creative and the TDK performed quite well.

Quality of the recorded CDs of normal quality (CD-ROM Drive Analyzer)

Creative RW121032E

Iomega ZipCD 1024INT-A

TDK CyClone CDRW121032

Quality of the recorded CDs of normal quality (CD-ROM Drive Analyzer)

Creative RW121032E

Iomega ZipCD 1024INT-A

TDK CyClone CDRW121032

I think there is no sense to concentrate on practically identical graphs of reading of the Creative and the TDK. The graphs of the Iomega is very close to that of the drive from ASUSTeK. The only difference is that the ASUSTeK CRW-0804F has more even graphs. That is, the Iomega reads at the same speed but more stable and without rough vibration and leaps.

The CD-ROM TEAC CD-540E showed rather stable graphs (but for a bit decrease in speed to the disc edge practically in all cases).

Extraction of audio tracks from Audio CDs (CDDAE 99)

Piano Favorites :

Acoustic Planet vol.2 :

Bloodhound Gang "Greatest Hits" :

* - 7.44% means that the drive extracted 7.44% of the CD with errors.

You might notice that the ASUSTeK ensured quite low error percentage being at rather high speed - 8X. The Iomega implemented the test a bit worse: the faded speed together with great amount of errors. The TDK and the Creative performed better, and with quite similar results we should point to the TDK CyClone CDRW121032 as the best in speed and error percentage.

Copying from recorded CDs to the hard drive

This test is aimed to obtain just proper information, do not take it the first that influences drive's performance. Since the disc structure is nonuniform and compound, the results were low even for 32x devices.

Copying of normal quality CD

The Creative and the TDK go quite close leaving the Iomega too far behind. Though, 30 seconds might not be "too".

Copying of low quality CD

Well, quite close picture to the previous one but for the Creative RW121032E that leaped over the TDK.

Reading of damaged CDs

Creative RW121032E

"Golden" CD:

Scratched:

The golden disc reads well, but considering the scratched one leaves much to be desired… With the first proper error the drive downed the speed to 4X, without any further raise.

70% of the damaged disc were read.

Iomega ZipCD 1024INT-A

"Golden" disc:

Scratched:

No difficulties in reading of the golden one at 10X. Nothing sad we can say on the next case: the speed was falling and then growing back, the amplitude was not so great. But what did you expect from the 10X speed?

65% of the damaged disc were read.

TDK CyClone CDRW121032

"Golden" disc:

Scratched:

The golden one reads excellent. Look at the graph for the scratched disc. What has caused such a saw? In the end the drive gave up and went on at 4X. Note that at this speed it has read much smaller part than the Creative.

Resume

Creative RW121032E

This recorder practically in all cases goes side by side with the Plextor PX-W1210A. It's quite difficult to estimate the drive in terms of quality and functionality in the packet record mode without a support of better, in my opinion, software from Adaptec (it concerns only packet record). But considering other sides, the work of the device creates pleasant impression: 20-22X average extraction speed, good reading quality, high and qualitative record speed. The Burn-Proof technology takes all your trouble concerning buffer emptiness. The drive is fully supported by the program CloneCD with all its goodies.

Iomega ZipCD 1024INT-A

Alike its brother ASUSTeK, this drive keeps the middle all the time. It deserves hot praising only for a stable work as a CD-ROM drive. The buffer works well, when recording the load usually constituted 99-100%. Rather small track extraction speed, and considering high error percentage, I won't advise you to pay attention to ZipCD in order to solve such problems.

When booting the program CloneCD, the computer buzzed. This happened not only on this machine: we tried it on the AMD Athlon and the Intel Pentium III.

TDK CyClone CDRW121032

"High-speed drive" - it says everything. High and quality record speed in all modes, perfect read quality, high track extraction speed together with just a little errors, the Burn-Proof technology, full support of read/write in RAW mode, and at last comes an original design. What else to become a top?

Conclusion

Creative RW121032E

Low price (as comparing to the equivalent Plextor), perfect functional possibilities of the recorder and wide availability. If you are going to buy it right now, better wait until wider support from companies. It will allow you to choose a program to your taste and prevent any problems concerning packet record of CD-RWs.

Iomega ZipCD 1024INT-A

It's challenging to find the ZipCD widely available. It's quite an average CD-RW drive in terms of writing and reading. Considering all this I assume that the price is a bit too high.

It mainly suit those who appreciate everything rare and stylish, who don't need fast record of CD-Rs, don't use often packet mode and track extraction is just secondary issue.

TDK CyClone CDRW121032

Well, it's an undoubted leader in our tests. At the moment we can't provide you with the price for this device, but in any case, don't be afraid buying it, you won't be disappointed.

Test programs:

• Ziff Davis CD WinBench 99 version 1.0
• CDSpeed 99 version 0.7 Beta
• CDDAE 99 version 0.2 Beta
• CD-ROM Drive Analyzer version 2.1.1

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